A new mystery cruise has launched with completely secret destinations and itinerary
Variety Cruises has launched its latest Mystery CEO cruise. Sailing aboard the 72-capacity Variety Voyager, the only thing passengers are told is the departure date, the embarkation and disembarkation port, and the price.
The sailing is led by the company's chief executive Filippos Venetopoulos, with all proceeds donated to Variety Cares, which supports the cruise brand's mission for clean oceans, gender equality and education for all.
The ship departs from Valletta, Malta, on 21 June 2025 for an eight-day sailing to Naples, Italy.
The ports and activities in-between won't be revealed until just before arrival in each destination.
The only clues are that passengers will explore the 'mysterious depths of Italy and Malta' and visit 'off-the-beaten-path locations, with expert guides offering a deep dive into the history, art, and traditions of the region'.
Prices start from £3,904 per person – with an early booking discount of 20 per cent until 15 March and 10 per until the end of the month.
The price includes accommodation in double or twin cabins with a half-board buffet breakfast and one daily meal highlighting local specialties such as a BBQ and pizza night.
Passengers will also enjoy welcome and farewell cocktails.
Once in the mystery ports, the fare covers four secret excursions and activities, two traditional meals ashore, wifi and use of fishing and snorkelling equipment.
Venetopoulos said: 'This is not just a cruise.
'It's an immersive journey of discovery, where each day brings a new, breathtaking destination – revealed only a few hours before arrival. No guidebooks, no pre-planned plans, just pure, unscripted exploration.'
This is the second Mystery Cruise from Variety after a sailing around Greece last year.
Other cruise brands also offer secret sailings.
Windstar has a President's Mystery Cruise from Athens that visits seven secret ports. It departs aboard Star Legend on 19 April 2025.
Fred Olsen also has two mystery cruises this year, one from Portsmouth for five nights departing on 7 November 2025 and another seven-night sailing from Liverpool on 15 December 2025.
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I fell head over heels in love with small boat sailing in the Cyclades
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Our vessel, Galileo, is a 48 metre, traditional, three-masted, 30-year old motor sailer, refurbished in 2025. There are three motor sailers and five motor yachts in the fleet. Alternative voyages include Tahiti, The Seychelles, Africa, Croatia and Italy, Malta and French Polynesia. Variety Cruises' Galileo | Marion Ainge for National World Galileo has 24 cabins but don't expect a theatre with nightly West End-type shows or a swimming pool. However, you can swim almost daily in the sparkling, turquoise Aegean sea. Galileo is nothing like a cruise ship and nothing like I've ever experienced but I love it! Immediately, the warm, welcoming ambience is evident and we're greeted with a refreshing drink and smiles all around. Three decks include a lounge/dining area, lower and upper deck cabins, a bar area and a glorious, full-length sun deck with loungers, chairs and tables. 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I fell head over heels in love with small boat sailing in the Cyclades
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This popular island accommodates around 8,000 international visitors a day in peak season and around 3.4m per year. The two-hour tour is a bit of a challenge in 32 degrees, so in our free time, we take the obligatory photo of a cruise ship, which looks like a toy boat in a bath from the famous viewpoint and seek out the shade of a cafe. In Delos, just a 20-minute boat ride from Mykonos, there's little or no shade so we carry umbrellas as we wander slowly around the open archaeological site of this sacred island. Here, the huge, famous marble lions are the faithful guardians of the Sacred Lake. The island of Mykonos | Marion Ainge for National World Mykonos comes alive at night, its harbour lights twinkling as we arrive by sea bus. The harbour front cafe bars and restaurants are packed with the young, tanned and beautiful. The rest of us explore the winding, cobbled back streets, and see the famous windmills and Little Venice. Best not to look at the prices in the high end shops, though! Capital of the Cycladic islands, Syros ,is upmarket and classy with glossy, white mega yachts in the harbour. But I always look forward to going home to the comfort and familiarity of Galileo. I couldn't have imagined how much I'd enjoy this incredible adventure. Small boat cruising will certainly be on my list again. USEFUL INFORMATION
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